| Safe access to bulldozers |
Description
Safe access to bulldozer cabs and engine compartments is an industry-wide problem that organisations have struggled with for years. Due to the nature of the design of a bulldozer, the cab can only be accessed by climbing onto the track pads which are uneven and often covered in debris making them a slip and trip hazard. It is important to maintain three points of contact at all times due to these difficult access conditions. It has been proven that three points of contact cannot be maintained with the current handle arrangement fitted by the manufacture, particularly when egress is made from these machines.
A safe system to access and egress the bulldozer whilst maintaining three points of contact was required which would not be damaged by debris on the tracks when the machine was in operation.
The solution was simple, effective and installed with minimal cost to the business. The front access handle was extended on each side of the machine into a trombone shape which could then be easily reached from the ground and held while climbing onto the tracks. The access footholds on the blade arms were moved forward to a lower track position reducing the need to stretch.
This system has been circulated within CEMEX UK and has been fitted to other bulldozers. Finning, the agent for CAT, has visited the site and been provided with the modification details.
Benefits
1.Access and particularly egress has been improved on the bulldozer fleet by ensuring that the driver can maintain three points of contact
2.The risk of slip and trips particularly in wet or icy conditions has been reduced
3.A simple and cost effective solution
4.Retro-fitted across the fleet
5.Manufacturing agent Finning has show interest in adopting the system
6.Morale boost for team members in seeing their ideas implemented and recognised by the management team.
|